For Raeen and her family (You are not alone)

I hope for you.

I hope for him.

As I sit
On this rain drenched day
And feel your sadness

I feel soft loss
For a man I never knew

I feel tender empathy
For a young women becoming old

I feel the harsh reality
Of a boy…lost.

I feel true kinship
For a woman
A mother
A mom
A wife
An ex-wife
My friend

I feel connected to a family
In the throes of tragedy

Your hope and sadness
Drift down to me….

To a stranger that shares

To a friend that cares

I embrace you all.

A river trip rhyme

We load the boats up; to the river we go
With paddles and beer; we hope all will show

Just make it down river; is a common lament
We just need to get there; and pitch up our tents

Down the rapids we float; with its white caps and swirls
Keep your paddle-a-pumpin’; or you’ll go for a twirl

We stop on the sandbar; for beer and for rest
Drink one down fast; and start with the jests

Safely on the island; we made it un-scathed
We pop out our chairs; and relax in the shade

With friendships a-plenty; we pass-round and drink
With smiles and laughter; we verbally think

The sunset begins; with orange, red, and gold
We could watch here forever; and it never gets old

Now nighttime descends; with dark moon or bright
Heads all-a-spinning; we click off our lights

The sunrise revealed; all fog drenched and damp
We emerge from our tents; well rested; not cramped

We pack up to leave; and set out once more
Put paddles to water; and drift from the shore

Down in the creeks; so narrow and fast
We try to slow down; to make the time last

Were here at the take out; our shoulder all sag
The hike to the car; is a full-blown drag

We load the boats up; were dirty but fine
We will be back again soon; to drop out of time

A Skeleton in the closet(Awakens)

The skeleton never died

Hidden and preserved

In a coffin of lies


For years it waited

A forgotten landmine

Wanting to explode

In the shifting of time


With anticipation

Of its inevitable reveal

We hold onto the peace

That we must steal


Soon the truth

Will raise its hand

To pierce the lies

We have covered in sand


For when the skeleton

Is revealed

Not a single soul

Will have a shield


And as it tears

Our lies asunder

So many families

Will shatter in the thunder